Special

Chapter 16

Ella woke up to small stars littering the sky. It was night, and they were going to start traveling again. She grabbed one of the sacks, packed up her blankets, and threw the other one at Connor.

"OW, you didn't have to do that." He grumbled, grabbing it and tossing it over his shoulder. Lilith woke soon after, and they put out the fire and started walking through the woods.

They traveled quietly through the dense trees, exchanging words or thoughts every once in awhile, but mostly thinking of the long journey ahead of them.

"Hey Lilith, how much longer until we get there?" Ella asked. Lilith quickly flew above the trees, and came back down.

"Maybe by sunrise if we go faster."

"But I can't walk anymore. Remember, I'm the one who was hit in the head with a branch, then got flung into a tree, then was thrown into tree after tree for who knows long. Connor's the one who's going slow."

"I'm not going that slow. Besides, I have the most stuff to carry."

"Yeah, well it was your choice. Why don't you both hurry up."

"Ugh, fine."

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They made their way through the trees, and finally found a stone wall, that belonged to the town. They'd finally made it, now they just had to find the gates.

"Wait-where are we going to stay? I'm pretty sure not every castle has a hole in the walls to get in."

"You're the key, maybe limp a bit more, if they're nice than we'll even get a free room."

"I could carry her, then she'll look more hurt." Connor declared, grabbing Ella and carrying her in his arms. "Wow, you're light."

"Yeah, because I probably lost half my blood." Ella replied, wrapping her arms around his neck and closing her eyes.

"Could you at least act worried, and Ella, pretend you're tired, and weak, and dying."

"How do we know this will work."

"Because most people are decent people, now get on the trail and start running towards the gate."

"Maybe if they're old grannies." Ella thought back to the nice, but definitely creepy, old lady in the carriage.

They found the nearest trail, and started running in the direction of the town. Once they reached it, they ran up to the two guards at the gates and asked for the way to the nearest inn. One of them looked up from what he was doing, and pointed to a building with a sign reading "Inn", not even seeming to notice Ella. They ran across the stone roads, to a large wooden building. Inside, the innkeeper calmly stood at the counter, reading and looking desperately at the door.

"We need a room, she's hurt." Lilith asked hurriedly, trying to sound as worried as possible.

"You're going to need to pay." the innkeeper grumbled, staring at them as if nothing was wrong.

"Oh please, she's extremely hurt, just a few night is all we ask." Connor pleaded, looking down at Ella sleeping in his arms. "We have nothing"

"Why does she need to stay at the inn? Why not see a wisewoman, they'd probably be able to help her."

"She just needs rest, please!"

"Well then, why don't you go sleep outside?"

"But we can't!" Lilith begged, "Here, take this, it's all we have." She put ten silver coins on the counter, half of the price a normal room would cost. The innkeeper sighed, and handed her a key. They made their way up the stairs, and opened up the door.

Ella was mumbling something, sometimes even trying to scream, although unable to, as she was asleep.

"Ella, you can stop pretending now." Connor said, gently setting her down on the soft sheets of the bed. He waited a couple seconds before slightly nudging her.

"Connor, I don't think she's pretending."